Kitsap County COVID-19 Resources and Information

Kitsap County is now in Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan

Kitsap County’s request to move to Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery was approved on May 28, 2020 by Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Approval is effective immediately, meaning Kitsap County is now in Phase 2. View the full press release from the Kitsap Public Health District.

Pathway to Recovery Playbook - Moving to Phase 2

As Kitsap County moves into Phase 2 of the Safe Start COVID-19 recovery plan, some local businesses will open or begin to expand their services. As the approval letter from the state Secretary of Health noted, however, a business may open only “after it can implement the state guidelines for a safe start."

The Playbook was developed by the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management to help our community understand and safely embark upon our phased opening. It includes everything from overarching guidance for every individual and employer, to industry-specific recommendations for each phase of the Safe Start plan. You can find many similar resources in the state's Safe Start plan.

Quarantine and Isolation Care Center

The KCEOC has opened a temporary quarantine and isolation care center in South Kitsap for people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19. The facility can accept patients referred by healthcare providers or public health officials in Kitsap County.

Scam Alerts and Rumor Control

Washington State Employment Security Division is warning of fraudulent unemployment claims and scam websites designed to steal personal information. If you become aware of unemployment fraud or suspect you were a victim,
report it here.

APPLY YOUR MEDICAL SKILLS

Need Help by Phone?

If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, or how the virus is spread, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press # from 6 am to 10 pm, seven days a week. Please note that this call center cannot access COVID-19 testing results. For testing inquiries or results, please contact your health care provider.

You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive information and updates wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

Call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies. Emergency response is available 24/7.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

A $641,438 grant from the federal CARES Act will provide up to three months of rental assistance for Kitsap County residents who make 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. The assistance is available to people affected by COVID-19 who are not receiving any other federal, state, or local housing subsidy.

The Washington State Department of Commerce also has
rental and energy assistance available for households that qualify for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

To find out if you qualify for rental or energy assistance funds, contact the Kitsap Housing Solutions Center, 360-473-2035, HSC@kcr.org or visit kcr.org.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

All local school districts offer free grab and go meals to any child 18 and under (in some cases special education students age 21 and under also qualify). Check your local school district for instructions.

Kitsap County has temporarily extended this spring’s property-tax deadline to May 31, 2020 (from April 30) due to impacts of the coronavirus on the financial lives of residents and businesses. The extension is for both individual and commercial taxpayers but does not apply to prior year delinquent taxes. The County is encouraging “property owners who are financially able to pay first half or full year property taxes early to fund essential services needed now and in the months to come.” For more info, visit the webpage of the
Kitsap County Treasurer.

PSE has launched a Crisis Affected Customer Assistance Program to help pay for energy bills for those impacted by the coronavirus. Eligible households can receive up to $1000 if members are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable to work due to COVID-19. For income and eligibility requirements, visit the PSE bill payment page.

Washington Department of Veterans Affairs provides frequent COVID-19 updates for family members and representatives of residents living in Veterans Homes.

Kitsap County Department of Human Services administers the Veterans Assistance Fund for veterans in need. The money comes from a small portion of property taxes and is dedicated to providing assistance to veterans and their families.

The Department of Social and Health Services is offering new resources during the COVID-19 response for people with loved ones within a DSHS owned, operated, or community facility. These resources help people get information or guidance about their family member.
Read the full news release.

Businesses and Worker Resources

Kitsap businesses have sacrificed much during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closure. Now as we move through the Stay Safe plan and get our economy moving again, we must continue to take safety precautions to protect our community and prevent a rebound of COVID-19 so our businesses can move towards recovery.

PATHWAY TO RECOVERY PLAYBOOK - BUSINESS ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

As Kitsap County moves into Phase 2 of the Safe Start COVID-19 recovery plan, some local businesses will reopen or begin to expand their services. As the approval letter from the state Secretary of Health noted, however, a business may reopen only “after it can implement the state guidelines for a safe start."

Businesses that are state licensed or certified professional should check with their licensing or certifying state agency for guidance. If no state guidance is available yet, the business cannot open under the governor's plan.

ASK A QUESTION

Business owners and operators can fill out this form to ask Washington State questions about financial help or other state assistance for businesses.

LOCAL RESOURCES

During the Stay Home, Stay Healthy closures, Kitsap chambers of commerce rallied to support local businesses in not only strengthening their resiliency but also implementing new and creative strategies to stay afloat while supporting their employees. Read their letter to the community.

Apartments, Condos, and Similar Residences - Resources

Important Closures

To protect the public and our staff, most
Kitsap County government services are now online, by phone, by mail, or by video conference. We have closed most public service counters, but staff are still working and can serve you remotely.

About this page

This page is designed to help Kitsap County residents find government information and assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. It is maintained by the Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center and updated daily with new resources. Kitsap EOC includes members from Kitsap Public Health District, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Kitsap 911, Law Enforcement, and Kitsap Fire Chiefs Association.

Visit the
Kitsap Cares page to find available resources from community groups and nonprofits.